New Music Releases – February 2016

It’s going to be a busy first quarter for 2016. With projects from Kanye West, Brian McKnight, Lion Babe and others hitting stores, the music scene is about to be flooded with some great music.

Lion Babe kicks off the first week of album releases in February. The group’s debut album, Begin, is set to hit stores on Feb. 5. Meanwhile, OVO Sound’s Majid Jordan will release their self-titled album on the same day.

Kanye West has garnered a tidal wave of backlash over changing his album title from Swish to Waves. No additional information has been provided for the project except for a possible star-studded track list. The collection is due on Feb. 11.

On a somber note, 77 Funky Trombones, the final album from the late and great funkateer Blowfly, will drop on Feb. 12. Blowfly, whose real name is Clarence Reid, is often credited as the first gangsta rapper. The 76-year-old tunesmith passed away in January after battling terminal liver cancer. The album is a fitting musical tribute to a man whose raunchy lyrics and music help shape hip-hop culture as we know it. Rest in peace, Blowfly.

On Feb. 19, R&B crooner BJ the Chicago Kid will deliver his soulful effort, In My Mind. The Chi-City native has been promoting his project with a selection ofsongs that you can definitely groove to.

The final week of February looks to be the busiest week of the month. Artists such as Santigold, Brian McKnight and Tweet are releasing their projects on Feb. 26.

But probably the most anticipated album that fans are going to be checking for on that day is Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' album, This Unruly Mess I Made. The Seattle duo are already sparking conversations on social media with their thought-provoking song, "White Privilege II." It's going to be interesting to hear what other topical issues the rap tandem are going to be addressing on the LP.

Overall, February is looking like a month of great music ahead. Check them out below.